Thiruparamkundram or Paramkundru, a hill near
Madurai, in Tamilnadu - South India, is the first and foremost
temple of Lord Muruga in India and is the first
Aarupadai Veedu
as well.
Saint poet Nakkerar, in his songs in praise of
Lord Senthil Andavar, places Thiruparamkundram in the first place amongst
the six battle places (
Arupadaiveedu
) that Lord Muruga has fought to win over evil.

A few Murugan devotees do consider that Marudamalai
Murugan temple also deserves to be mentioned as one additional Padai Veedu.

The various names of the presiding deity include Subramanya and Subramanya Swamy.

Legends/Puranas and Mythology

Nakeerar, in his Tamil writings
compilation called Thirumurugatruppadai,
more than 2000 years ago, and saint Poet Arunagirinaathar,
who has composed Thirupugazh verses on Murugan, have both sung in great
praise of Lord Subramanya of Thiruparamkundram. This place is considered to be the holy spot
where Lord Muruga's celestial marriage took place.Saint Poet Nakkeerar composed his great literary work
Thirumurugatrupadai in this divine place. The story goes that he was imprisoned in a cellar
by a demon and Lord Muruga came to the rescue of the poet Nakkerar, on hearing the songs composed.

Lord Muruga is said to have married Indiran's daughter
Deivayanai
, in this holy place. Deivaynai, the daughter of Indira, as mythology goes,
was brought by Iravatham in the Devalokam.
Also, it was predestined that Murugan would marry Deivayanai ( Devanai or Deivayani)
at this sacred place. The marriage was witnessed by
Lord Shiva, Goddess Parvathi, Lord Vishnu, Lord Brahma
and many other Hindu Gods and Hindu Goddesses

The marriage took place after Lord Subrahmanya vanquished the arrogant
demon Soorapadman in the battle at
Tiruchendur.

With exclusive coverage on each temple reverred to as arupadai veedu,
the CD-ROM/ VCD is a must buy for all those who wish to explore the temples,
legends associated, holy waters associated with the temples, various festivals
and other important details which may not be available elsewhere.

The temple is situated just five kilometers in the South-east direction of
Madurai, abutting the main railway line. See below for associated websites
and other links on where to stay and details on the tour operators who package
Madurai in their itinerary.

The temple is located in the northern side of the hill. Before the gopuram,
Sundara Pandiya Mandapam and Asthana Mandapam
are located. The idols depicting the marriage of Lord Muruga with Deivayanai
is gratifying. The sculptors bring the idols to real life with their exquisite
carvings. The temple hall houses idols depicting the excellent sculpturing
skills include those of Elephants, tigers, tiger hunting etc. Twenty pillars
made of stone, each 48 feet in height add a touch of class to this temple.
The Rajagopuram and the Kalyana mandapam are just ahead of this hall. On the
western side, one can identify the Lakshmi Theertham and on the western side
is the
Brahma Koopam
( also called Saniyasi Kinaru). Water from the Brahma Koopam is used for the
Abhishekam of Lord Subrahmanya Swamy.

In front of the Dwajasthambam or the Kodi Maram, one gets the magnificiently
carved Nandi, Mayil and the Mouse ( the vehicle of Lord Ganesha). This is a
specialty of this Murugan shrine.Going inside, one can see the sannidhis of
various Hindu Gods and Hindu Goddesses. Of special mention is the sannidhi of Saneeswaran
without the other eight Grahas. Climbing a flight of six steps called the
"Shadashara Padigal", one reaches the Artha Mandapam. One gets to see the rock carvings of
Mahisshasura Mardini, Karpaga Vinayagar, Andarabaranar and Uggirar.

There is also a rock carved sannidhi for Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi.
Shiva in the form Sivalingam and Sathiyagireeshwarar sannidhis
located here cannot miss the attention of the Muruga Bakthas visiting this Murugan shrine.

Sage Narada is believed to have received the blessing of the Lord here.

The Moolavar deity is also sculptured from a rock. Abhishekams for the presiding
deity is done to the Murugan's Vel only.

There are five Theerthams or divine water sources, in and around the temple.
They are :
· Saravana Poigai,
· Lakshmi Theertham
· Saniyasi Kinaru( well)
· Kasi Sunai and
· Sathiya Koopam

The Saravanai Poigai, located at the foot of the hill is believed to have been created by Lord Subrahmanya himself using his Vel.
A glimpse of the Saravana Poigai is beautifully videographed in the multimedia
CD Rom titled -
Arupadaiveedu - A Multimedia ecstasy
a CD ROM / VCD on Muruga by
Cybervalley Systems
, India. (http://www.cybervalleysystems.com)

History of the Temple

About 1200 years before, the Pandiya Kings constructed a great part
of the temple precincts and temple walls. The Madurai Nayakar King Veerappar, Raja Thirumalai
and Queen Mangammal are known to have patronized this temple and generously contributed
towards temple maintenance.

Temple timings & Festivals

Daily pujas to the deities are performed six times a day (six kalams). Forenoon : Ushat Kalam, Kalasandhi and Uchikala poojas are performed in the and the afternoon poojas commencing from Sayaratchai and Rendam kalam are concluded with Arthajama pooja in the night.

Many of those who migrated
away from India, be it the early settlers in South Africa or
the tech-savvy migrants to US - the first generation who have
Lord Murugan in their hearts find it difficult to pass on this
spiritual shield to their children who grow up in alien lands.

This CD exquisitely brings
to life the pujas and certain utsavams of Lord Karthikeya -
To illustrate a few shots...
- the ther (Temple chariot) utsavam of Thiruparamkundram Murugan;
- the Unjal ( Swing) sevai of Tirutchendur Murugan ;
- the Abishekam of Palamuthircholai Murugan or
- the golden chariot of Palani
- are some such scenes that leave a permanent impression in
one's mind.

Peace and tranquility are
the possible benefits of viewing the CD contents - be it in
a group during small functions or alone- in solitude in the
background of darkness. For kids- it will be as much fun as
watching the cartoons - if only the parents take time to explain
the CD contents to their kids with some interest.